The Toronto Maple Leafs are the NHL’s most valuable franchise, worth $1 billion, while the St. Louis Blues are the least valuable, worth $130 million, or about 1/8 of the Leafs’ amount, according to NHL team valuations released by Forbes.

NHL team values have risen 18 percent from a year ago, with the average team now worth $282 million. However, the numbers indicate how top-heavy the valuations are. Only nine times are worth more than the average worth, and only the top eight teams are worth more than $300 million.

Meanwhile, the league’s 10 least valuable teams are worth less than $200 million, and, not surprisingly, teams in the southeastern U.S. are among those lagging the most.

It's worth noting that Forbes' analysis is the magazine's best estimate of each team's values, because it is not privy to franchise financial data unless teams are sold and the amount is made public.

It will be interesting to see what the New York Islanders’ 2015 move to Brooklyn will do for the franchise. At No. 27 in the NHL, it can only help.